Lifting assembly

ABSTRACT

A lifting assembly for raising and supporting a load includes a removable and reusable lifting bracket. The lifting bracket is designed to fit around and support a support bracket that supports a load. The support bracket is installed on the pole of the pier and engages the edge of the load. The lifting bracket is removably attached to a jacking apparatus for pushing or pulling the piering pole through the support bracket and raising the load on the support bracket. After the lifting operation, the lifting bracket is removed from the jacking apparatus and the support bracket attached to the piering pole for use on adjacent piers and on other lifting assemblies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/749,168, filed on Dec. 30, 2003, which isspecifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes. This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/749,168 under 35 U.S.C. § 120.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to piering systems for raisingand supporting building foundations and the like, and more particularlyto a lifting assembly comprising a removable and reusable liftingbracket and a support bracket for raising and supporting a load.

Many types of building structures are supported by foundations that inturn are supported by soil rather than by more stable bedrock or othersupporting strata. Shifting of the supporting soil over time can causethe foundation to sink, which can lead to various problems includingstructural damage. Unless the foundation is supported, further shiftingcan occur and worsen the structural damage. Furthermore, it isfrequently desirable to raise the foundation to its original level inorder to facilitate restoration of the structure to a proper condition.

In foundation piering systems, the foundation of a structure isexcavated down to the footings at each pier location, pilings are driveninto the ground through unstable soils to rock or load bearing strata byhydraulic rams for lifting and stabilizing the foundation and preventingfuture settlement. A support bracket is attached to the foundationfootings from below and raised by hydraulic rams for vertical adjustmentof the foundation.

Many devices and methods have been developed for raising and supportinga foundation. Many such devices and methods employ piers that are driveninto the ground adjacent an edge of the foundation until the piersencounter bedrock or other relatively firm supporting strata. Jackingdevices are used for jacking up the edge of the foundation, using thepiers for support. When the foundation is raised to the desired level,the foundation is affixed to the piers and the jacking equipment isremoved.

In some such lifting devices, brackets are affixed to the foundation andare slidably engaged with the piers, and the jacking devices engage thebrackets for raising the foundation. A bracket typically includes apier-receiving portion such as a collar or sleeve that surrounds thepier in close-fitting fashion, and a support plate rigidly affixed tothe pier-receiving portion and configured to engage a lower surface of afoundation. The pier-receiving portion is sized to fit closely about thepier so that the bracket is able to slide upward and downward along thepier but is substantially prevented from moving in any other direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,710 to Holland Jr. discloses a lifting assembly forraising and supporting an edge of a foundation that includes a liftingsaddle slidably received over a pier that is driven into the groundadjacent the edge of the foundation, a bracket supported by the liftingsaddle and adapted to be affixed to and to support the foundation, and ajacking apparatus configured to be supported atop an upper end of thepier. The lifting saddle is connected to the jacking apparatus bythreaded rods slidably received through the jacking apparatus. Thebracket is pivotally connected to the lifting saddle such that thebracket can rock side-to-side, thus self-aligning and remaining alignedwith the foundation during a lifting operation. The bracket can alsopivot about a vertical axis and can slide in a forward or rearwarddirection relative to the lifting saddle. The lifting saddle can pivotrelative to the pier about a horizontal axis.

The prior art discloses lifting assemblies including a support bracketand a lifting bracket that are attached to a jacking apparatus forlifting a supporting a foundation. The support bracket and liftingbracket are fixed components of a piering system that are not removableor reusable. The present invention provides a lifting bracket that isremovable from the support bracket, piering pole and jacking apparatusand can be reused on other lifting assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a lifting assembly for raising andsupporting a load. The lifting assembly preferably includes a one-piece,integral, removable and reusable lifting bracket (or boot) and a supportbracket (or lift tool attachment) used for raising and supporting aload. The lifting bracket is preferably removably attached to a jackingapparatus for pushing or pulling a piering pole through the supportbracket and into the ground. One end of the jacking apparatus isattached to the lifting bracket and the other end of the jackingapparatus is attached to an upper end of the pier.

The jacking apparatus preferably includes a support brace located abovethe lifting bracket. The support brace includes a circular sleeve thatencircles the pier driving pole, two support wings extending in oppositedirections from the circular sleeve, and a pair of hydraulic ramsoriented on either side of and running parallel to the pier drivingpole, wherein hydraulic rams connect to respective wings of the liftingbracket and the support wings of the support brace.

The jacking apparatus preferably engages a tubular upper end portion ofthe pier or a tubular extension added onto the upper end of the pier.The jacking apparatus includes a vertical portion adapted to be slidablyreceived within the pier or pier extension and a support portion adaptedto rest atop an upper end of the pier or pier extension. Alternatively,the jacking apparatus can be formed of a short tubular section thatreceives the upper end of the pier and the lifting bracket can slidablyengage the pier below the short tubular section.

The pier driving pole preferably extends through the support bracket andlifting bracket of the lifting assembly. The lifting bracket ispreferably removably attached to the pier and the support bracket. Ifthe hydraulic rams are removed from the lifting bracket, the liftingbracket may be removed from the pier and support bracket and reused onanother lifting assembly. The support bracket remains attached to theload and the pier.

The lifting bracket of the lifting assembly is constructed to be easilyremovable from the support bracket and the pier. The removable liftingbracket is designed to fit around the support bracket. The liftingbracket preferably includes a pair of spaced-apart L-shaped liftingmembers, a pair of semi-circular convex members attached to the rear ofthe spaced-apart L-shaped lifting members, a pair of horizontal bracingmembers attached to the rear of the spaced-apart L-shaped liftingmembers and between the semi-circular convex members, and a pair ofvertical bracing members extending between the pair of horizontalbracing members. An opening is formed between the spaced-apart L-shapedlifting members, the convex members and the horizontal bracing membersis designed to fit around a tubular member of the support bracket. Thisopening is sized slightly larger than the tubular member such that thelifting bracket can be removed from the support bracket. The removablelifting bracket can thus be used over and over again on adjacent piersand on other lifting assemblies.

The support bracket of the lifting assembly is constructed to beinstalled on the pole of a piering system and engage the edge of a loadthereon. The support bracket generally includes a tubular member forreceiving the pole of a piering system therein, an L-shaped memberattached to the tubular member for supporting a load thereon, and asubstantially horizontal top member attached on top of the tubularmember and having an opening extending therethrough for receiving thetop of the tubular member therein.

The present invention can be utilized on single or double pieringsystems having various push/pull configurations. The present inventionalso contemplates methods of employing same for the purpose of raisingand supporting a load, wherein the lifting bracket is removable from thesupport bracket and the pier, such that the lifting bracket may bereused on adjacent piers and on other lifting assemblies of a pieringsystem. Unlike prior art configurations, the configuration of thepresent invention can push a piering pole without having the supportbracket supported by the lifting bracket (boot) and can secure the loadin position without having the lifting bracket supporting the supportbracket.

Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will bemade apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawingsand detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a lifting bracket of the liftingassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the lifting bracket of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of a support bracket of the liftingassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the support bracket of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a front plan view of the lifting bracket and the supportbracket attached to the piering system comprising an embodiment of alifting assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side plan view of the lifting assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a detailed perspective view of the lifting assembly of FIGS.3A and 3B;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the lifting bracket and the supportbracket attached to the piering system of the lifting assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is a side plan view of the lifting bracket and the supportbracket attached to the piering system and supporting a slab comprisinganother embodiment of a lifting assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a front plan view of the lifting assembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a detailed front plan view of the lifting assembly of FIGS.4A and 4B;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the lifting bracket and the supportbracket attached to the piering system of the lifting assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5A is a front plan view of the lifting bracket and the supportbracket attached to the piering system and supporting a slab comprisingyet another embodiment of a lifting assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a side plan view of the lifting assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a rear plan view of the lifting assembly of FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the lifting bracket and the supportbracket attached to the piering system and supporting a slab comprisingstill another embodiment of a lifting assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a front plan view of the lifting assembly of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a side plan view of the lifting assembly of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 7A is a front plan view of a support bracket supporting a load(labeled “Monument”) in place without the positioning of a liftingbracket directly underneath it in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7B is a side plan view of the configuration of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a detailed of the alternative embodiments of a support bracketand a lifting bracket as reflected in FIGS. 7A-7C;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a side plan view and a rear plan view of a pushconfiguration embodiment of the present invention shown with thehydraulic ram unextended;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a side plan view and a rear plan view of the pushconfiguration embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B with the hydraulic rampartially extended;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are a side plan view and a rear plan view of the pushconfiguration embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B with the hydraulic ramfully extended;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are a side plan view and a rear plan view of a pullconfiguration embodiment of the present invention shown with the liftingbracket positioned away from the support bracket;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a side plan view and a rear plan view of the pushconfiguration embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B with the liftingbracket positioned in a mid position with respect to the supportbracket; and

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a side plan view and a rear plan view of the pushconfiguration embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B with the liftingbracket engaging the support bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a preferredembodiment of a lifting bracket 10 in accordance with the presentinvention. The one-piece, integral, reusable and removable liftingbracket 10 preferably includes a pair of spaced-apart L-shaped liftingmembers 12, 14, the lifting members 12, 14 having a pair of liftingwings 16, 18 formed on opposite sides thereof and a pair of support arms20, 22 extending perpendicularly from the lifting wings. The liftingwings 16, 18 having a plurality of holes 24 extending therethrough forattachment to one end of a jacking apparatus and the lifting arms 20, 22having a portion cut-out therefrom and a projection 26 extendingupwardly from the top surface of each lifting arm at the ends thereoffor receiving an L-shaped support bracket thereon.

The lifting bracket 10 further includes an upper semi-circular convexmember 28 attached to the rear of the lifting wings 16, 18 and connectedbetween the spaced-apart opening between the lifting members 12, 14, afirst horizontal bracing member 30 attached to the rear of the liftingwings 16, 18 below the upper convex member 28 and connected between thespaced-apart opening between the lifting members 12, 14, a secondhorizontal bracing member 32, spaced-apart from the first horizontalbracing member 30, attached to the rear of the lifting wings 16, 18above a lower convex member 34 and connected between the spaced-apartopening between the lifting members 12, 14, a lower semi-circular convexmember 34 attached to the rear of the lifting wings 16, 18 and connectedbetween the spaced-apart opening between the lifting members 12, 14, anda pair of spaced-apart parallel vertical bracing members 36, 38connected between the first and second horizontal bracing members 30,32. The vertical bracing members 30, 32 each having an opening 40extending therethrough.

The lifting members 12, 14, convex members 28, 34, and bracing members30, 32, 36, 38, collectively define a tubular-receiving opening throughwhich a tubular member can be received therein. The tubular-receivingopening formed between the spaced-apart L-shaped lifting members 12, 14,the convex members 28, 34, and the horizontal bracing members 30, 32 isdesigned to fit around a tubular member of the support bracket. Thisopening is preferably large enough to accommodate the diameter of thetubular member of the support bracket therein and sized slightly largerthan the tubular member such that the lifting bracket can be removedfrom the support bracket.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a preferred embodiment of a support bracket50 in accordance with the present invention. The support bracket 50 ispreferably constructed to be installed on the pole of a piering systemand engage the edge of a load thereon. The support bracket 50 includes atubular member 52 for receiving the pole of a piering system therein, anL-shaped support member 54 attached to the tubular member 52 forsupporting a load thereon. The support member 54 having a generallyhorizontal portion 56 adapted to engage a lower surface of the edge of aload, the generally horizontal portion 56 having a pair of openings 60extending therethrough for receiving the projections 26 of the supportarms 20, 22 of the lifting members 12, 14 therein when the liftingbracket 10 is positioned around the support bracket 50, and a generallyvertical portion 58 extending perpendicular from one side of thehorizontal portion 56.

The support bracket 50 further includes a top member 42 attached to thetop of the tubular member 52 and extending perpendicular from the top ofthe vertical portion 58 having an opening 44 extending therethrough forreceiving the tubular member 52 therein, a vertical alignment member 46extending outwardly from the tubular member 52 opposite the supportmember 54 having an opening 48 extending therethrough, an angle bracingmember 62 attached between the tubular member 52 and the bottom of thehorizontal portion 56, an alignment pin 64 attached to the bottom of theangle bracing member 62 for aligning and supporting the lifting bracket10 around the support bracket 50, and a plurality of lateral bracingmembers 64 for bracing the support member 54 and top member 42 to thetubular member 52.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate various views of an embodiment of alifting assembly 70 in accordance with the present invention. Thelifting assembly 70 includes a lifting bracket 10 and a support bracket50 attached to a piering system jacking apparatus 72. One end of thejacking apparatus 72 is attached to the lifting bracket 10 and the otherend of the jacking apparatus 72 is attached to an upper end of a pieringpole 74 for pulling or pushing the piering pole 74 through the supportbracket 50 to raise or lift a load. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A,3B, 3C and 3D is an example of a pulling piering system.

The jacking apparatus 72 preferably includes a support brace 76 locatedabove the lifting bracket 10. The support brace 76 preferably includes acircular sleeve 78 that encircles and slidably receives the piering pole74 or a tubular extension added onto the upper end of the pole, twosupport wings 80, 82 extending in opposite directions from the circularsleeve 78, and a pair of hydraulic rams 84, 86 oriented on either sideof and running parallel to the piering pole 74 that are fastened torespective lifting wings 16, 18 of the lifting bracket 10 and supportwings 80, 82 of the support brace 76.

FIG. 3D illustrates the details of the lifting assembly 70. The pieringpole 74 preferably extends through the tubular member 52 of the supportbracket 50 of the lifting assembly. The lifting bracket 10 is removablyattached around the outside of the support bracket 50. The supportbracket 50 is preferably supported on the lifting arms 20, 22 of thelifting bracket 10.

The horizontal portion 56 of the support bracket 50 preferably restsupon the projections 26 and lifting arms 20, 22 of the lifting bracket.The projections 26 extending from the top of the lifting arms 20, 22 arepreferably inserted into the openings 60 in the horizontal portion 56 ofthe support member 54 of the support bracket. The top member 42 of thesupport bracket 50 extends over the top of the lifting bracket 10. Thevertical alignment member 46 of the support bracket 50 extends betweenthe pair of spaced-apart parallel vertical bracing members 36, 38 of thelifting bracket.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate various views of the lifting bracketand the support bracket attached to the piering system shown in FIGS.3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, but supporting a load. The only difference betweenFIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D and FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D is that a load 88 isshown being supported by the horizontal 56 and vertical 58 portions ofthe L-shaped support member 54 of the support bracket.

The support bracket 50 is preferably constructed to be installed on thepole 74 of a piering system and engage the edge of a load 88 thereon.The L-shaped support member 54 includes a generally horizontal portion56 adapted to engage a lower surface of the edge of a load 88, and agenerally vertical portion 58 extending perpendicular from one side ofthe horizontal portion 56 adapted to engage a vertical surface of theedge of the load 88. The alignment pin 64 attached to the bottom of theangle bracing member 62 of the support bracket 50 aligns and supportsthe lifting bracket 10 around the support bracket. The lifting bracket10 is configured to support the support bracket 50 such that upwardmovement of the lifting bracket 10 causes the support bracket 50 to liftthe load 88.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate various views of the lifting bracket andthe support bracket attached to a piering system comprising anotherembodiment of a lifting assembly supporting a load in accordance withthe present invention. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C isanother embodiment of a pulling piering system in accordance with thepresent invention. The difference between the pulling piering systemshown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D and the pulling piering system shown inFIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C is the jacking apparatus.

The lifting assembly 90 includes a lifting bracket 10 and a supportbracket 50 attached to a piering system jacking apparatus 92. One end ofthe jacking apparatus 92 is attached to the lifting bracket 10 and theother end of the jacking apparatus 92 is attached to an upper end of apiering pole 94 for pulling or pushing the piering pole 94 through thesupport bracket 50 to raise or lift a load 96.

The jacking apparatus 92 preferably includes a support brace 98 locatedabove the lifting bracket 10. The support brace 98 preferably includes acircular sleeve 100 that encircles and slidably receives the pieringpole 94 or a tubular extension added onto the upper end of the pole, twosupport wings 102, 104 extending in opposite directions from thecircular sleeve 100, and a pair of hydraulic rams 106, 108 oriented oneither side of and running parallel to the piering pole 94 that arefastened to respective lifting wings 16, 18 of the lifting bracket 10and support wings 102, 104 of the support brace 98. The difference inthe jacking apparatus 92 of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C is that the hydraulicrams 106, 108 are inverted from the hydraulic rams 84, 86 of the jackingapparatus 72 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate various views of the lifting bracket andsupport bracket attached to the piering system comprising yet anotherembodiment of a lifting assembly supporting a load in accordance withthe present invention. FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show an embodiment of apushing piering system that lifts a load by pushing a piering pole intothe ground.

The lifting assembly 110 includes a lifting bracket 10 and a supportbracket 50 attached to a piering system jacking apparatus 112. One endof the jacking apparatus 112 is attached to the lifting bracket 10 andthe other end of the jacking apparatus 112 is attached to an upper endof a piering pole 114 for pushing the piering pole 114 through thesupport bracket 50 and into the ground to raise or lift the load 116.

The jacking apparatus 112 preferably includes an upper support brace 118located above the lifting bracket 10. The support brace 118 preferablyincludes an opening 120 extending therethrough for slidably receivingthe piering pole 114 or a tubular extension added onto the upper end ofthe pole, a hydraulic ram assembly 120 attached to the bottom of thesupport brace 118 including a pair of hydraulic rams 122, 124 orientedon either side of and connecting to the piering pole 114, and a pair oflateral braces 126, 128 oriented on either side of the hydraulic rams122, 124 and running parallel to the hydraulic rams 122, 124 that arefastened to respective lifting wings 16, 18 of the lifting bracket 10and the support brace 118.

FIGS. 7A-7C show a load 88 secured in position on an alternativeembodiment of a support bracket 50 without the need for lifting bracket10 to be positioned thereunder. Support bracket 50 is engaged to theload 88 regardless of whether lifting bracket 10 is positionedthereunder and remains permanently in place along with connected pieringpole 74 after load 88 has been lifted and placed into its finalposition. FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the alternative embodiments oflifting bracket 10 and support bracket 50. Of course, many otherembodiments and configurations are also possible without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

FIGS. 9-11 show operation of one embodiment of a push configurationembodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, jackingapparatus 72 is shown with its hydraulic ram unextended. As thehydraulic ram of the jacking apparatus 72 extends (partial extensionshown in FIGS. 10A and 10B and full extension shown in FIGS. 11A and11B), the load 88 is lifted as the piering pole 74 is forced through thesupport bracket 50 to raise the load 88.

FIGS. 12-14 show operation of one embodiment of a pull configurationembodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 12A and 12B, jackingapparatus 112 is fully extended such that support bracket 50 is notpositioned on lifting bracket 10. As jacking apparatus 112 retracts,piering pole 74 is caused to be pushed downward through support bracket50. Thus, as illustrated, this configuration allows the pushing of thepiering pole 74 downward without having support bracket 50 engaged tolifting bracket 10. In this embodiment, as jacking apparatus 112 reachesnearly full retraction, lifting bracket 10 becomes engaged under supportbracket 50 and may cause support bracket 50 to raise load 88 or continueto force piering pole 74 downward.

Operation of the lifting assembly includes excavating the foundation ofa structure down to the footings, installing a piering system along thefoundation in order to lift a settled foundation, attaching a liftingassembly and a jacking apparatus to the piering system, attaching asupport bracket of the lifting assembly to the foundation footings,driving a piering pole into the ground through unstable soils to rock orload bearing strata for lifting and supporting the foundation on thesupport bracket, removing the jacking apparatus from the liftingassembly, removing the lifting bracket from the lifting assembly leavingonly the support bracket and the piering pole, cutting off the pieringpole and anchoring the top of the pole to the support bracket, and usingthe removed lifting bracket on other lifting assemblies or pieringsystems.

The lifting assembly of the present invention includes variousaccessories, such as, a foot for insertion into the bottom of thepiering pole, a plug for insertion into the bottom of the piering pole,a coupling for connecting sections of the piering pole together, variouslengths of drive pipe for driving the piering pole into the ground, apiering pole guide bushing, and a shim plate.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certainsubstitutions, alterations and omissions may be made to the embodimentswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, theforegoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should notlimit the scope of the invention.

1. A lifting assembly for raising and supporting a load, the liftingassembly comprising: a removable and reusable lifting bracket, thelifting bracket configured from a plurality of permanentlysecured-together pieces; a support bracket for permanent attachment tothe load, the support bracket having a tubular member dependingtherefrom, the lifting bracket removably positioned under the supportbracket and at least partially surrounding the tubular member; and ajacking apparatus having one end removably attached to the liftingbracket and another end attached to a piering pole above the liftingbracket.
 2. The lifting assembly of claim 1 wherein the lifting bracketincludes a pair of spaced-apart L-shaped lifting members; a pair ofsemi-circular convex members attached to the rear of the spaced-apartL-shaped lifting members; a pair of horizontal bracing members attachedto the rear of the spaced-apart L-shaped lifting members and between thesemi-circular convex members; and a pair of vertical bracing membersextending between the pair of horizontal bracing members.
 3. The liftingassembly of claim 2 wherein an opening is formed between thespaced-apart L-shaped lifting members, the convex members and thehorizontal bracing members and is designed to fit around the tubularmember of the support bracket.
 4. The lifting assembly of claim 1wherein the support bracket includes an L-shaped member attached to thetubular member for supporting a load thereon; and a substantiallyhorizontal top member attached to the top of the tubular member andhaving an opening extending therethrough for receiving the top of thetubular member therein.
 5. The lifting assembly of claim 1 wherein thepiering pole extends through the support bracket and lifting bracket. 6.The lifting assembly of claim 1 wherein the support bracket is installedon the piering pole for engaging the edge of the load.
 7. The liftingassembly of claim 1 wherein the lifting bracket is removably attached toa jacking apparatus for pushing or pulling the piering pole through thesupport bracket and into the ground.
 8. The lifting assembly of claim 1wherein one end of the jacking apparatus is attached to the liftingbracket and the other end of the jacking apparatus is attached to anupper end of the piering pole.
 9. The lifting assembly of claim 1wherein the jacking apparatus includes a support brace located above thelifting bracket.
 10. The lifting assembly of claim 9 wherein the supportbrace includes a circular sleeve that encircles the piering pole, twosupport wings extending in opposite directions from the circular sleeve,and a pair of hydraulic rams oriented on either side of and runningparallel to the piering pole.
 11. The lifting assembly of claim 10wherein the hydraulic rams connect to respective wings of the liftingbracket and support wings of the support brace.
 12. A lifting assemblyfor raising and supporting a load, the lifting assembly comprising: apier driving pole; a support bracket including a tubular member forreceiving a pier driving pole therein; a removable and reusable liftingbracket that removably fits at least partially around the tubular memberof the support bracket, the lifting bracket configured from a pluralityof permanently secured-together pieces; a ram support brace locatedabove the lifting bracket and including a circular sleeve for receivingthe pier driving pole therein, the ram support brace having two supportwings extending in opposite directions from the circular sleeve; and apair of hydraulic rams oriented on either side of and running parallelto the pier driving pole, wherein the hydraulic rams connect therespective sides of the lifting bracket and the support wings of the ramsupport brace.
 13. A removable and reusable lifting bracket for use on afoundation piering system comprising: a pair of spaced-apart L-shapedlifting members; a pair of semi-circular convex members permanentlyattached to the rear of the spaced-apart L-shaped lifting members; apair of horizontal bracing members permanently attached to the rear ofthe spaced-apart L-shaped lifting members and between the semi-circularconvex members; and a pair of vertical bracing members extending betweenthe pair of horizontal bracing members; wherein an opening is formedbetween the spaced-apart L-shaped lifting members, the convex membersand the horizontal bracing members and is designed to fit substantiallyaround the tubular member of a support bracket of a lifting assembly.14. A method for raising and supporting a load, the method comprisingthe steps of: attaching a lifting assembly to a load to be raised andsupported; attaching a support bracket of the lifting assembly to theload; attaching a removable and reusable lifting bracket substantiallyunder and around the support bracket, the lifting bracket configuredfrom a plurality of permanently secured-together pieces; attaching ajacking apparatus to the lifting bracket and a pier driving pole;lifting the load attached to the support bracket with the jackingapparatus attached to the lifting bracket supporting the supportbracket; removing the jacking apparatus from the lifting bracket andpier driving pole; removing the lifting bracket from around the supportbracket; anchoring the pier driving pole to the support bracket forsupporting the load thereon, and reusing the entire lifting bracket onother lifting assemblies or piering systems.